The Money Moon eBook

“Yes, Adam,—­I must go to London—­on
business,—­now hurry, like a good fellow.”
And so, together they entered the stable, and together
they harnessed the mare. Which done, staying
not for breakfast, Bellew mounted the driver’s
seat, and, with Adam beside him, drove rapidly away.

But Small Porges had seen these preparations, and
now came running all eagerness, but ere he could reach
the yard, Bellew was out of ear-shot.

So there stood Small Porges, a desolate little figure,
watching the rapid course of the dogcart until it
had vanished over the brow of the hill. And then,
all at once the tears welled up into his eyes hot,
and scalding, and a great sob burst from him, for
it seemed to him that his beloved Uncle Porges had
failed him at the crucial moment,—­had left
him solitary just when he needed him most.

Thus Small Porges gave way to his grief, hidden in
the very darkest corner of the stable, whither he
had retired lest any should observe his weakness,
until having once more gained command of himself, and
wiped away his tears with his small, and dingy pocket-handkerchief,
he slowly re-crossed the yard, and entering the house
went to look for his Auntie Anthea.

And, after much search, he found her—­half-lying,
half-kneeling beside his bed. When he spoke to
her, though she answered him, she did not look up,
and he knew that she was weeping.

“Don’t, Auntie Anthea,—­don’t!”
he pleaded. “I know Uncle Porges has gone
away, an’ left us, but you’ve got me left,
you know,—­an’ I shall be a man—­very
soon,—­before my time, I think. So—­don’t
cry,—­though I’m awful’ sorry
he’s gone, too—­just when we needed
him the most, you know!”

“Oh Georgy!” she whispered, “my
dear, brave little Georgy! We shall only have
each other soon,—­they’re going to
take Dapplemere away from us,—­and everything
we have in the world,—­Oh Georgy!”

“Well, never mind!” said he, kneeling
beside her, and drawing one small arm protectingly
about her, “we shall always have each other left,
you know,—­nobody shall ever take you away
from me. An’ then—­there’s
the—­Money Moon! It’s been an
awful’ long time coming,—­but it may
come to-night, or tomorrow night. He said it
would be sure to come if the storm came, an’
so I’ll find the fortune for you at last.
I know I shall find it some day a course—­’cause
I’ve prayed, an’ prayed for it so very
hard, an’ He said my prayers went straight
up to heaven, an’ didn’t get blown away,
or lost in the clouds. So—­don’t
cry, Auntie Anthea let’s wait—­just
a little longer—­till the Money Moon comes.”

CHAPTER XXIV

In which shall be found mention of a certain black
bag

“Baxter!”

“Sir?”

“Get me a pen, and ink!”

“Yes, sir.”

Now any ordinary mortal might have manifested just
a little surprise to behold his master walk suddenly
in, dusty and dishevelled of person, his habitual
languor entirely laid aside, and to thus demand pen
and ink, forthwith. But then, Baxter, though
mortal, was the very cream of a gentleman’s
gentleman, and the acme of valets, (as has been said),
and comported himself accordingly.